The parents of the siege hero released a statement describing their pride in their “beautiful boy”.

“We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for,” the statement released through 2GB presenter Ben Fordham read.

“We’d like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney; Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers.

“Our deepest gratitude to the NSW police, armed forces and paramedics for their tireless efforts.”

Mr Johnson, from Redfern, is the son of acclaimed Australian artist Ken Johnson and his former wife Rowena, according to Fairfax Media.

His family has expressed their sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson too.Source:ABC

The family has gathered at the 34-year-old’s apartment as his brother James flies to Sydney from Canada.

The cafe manager was in a long-term relationship with his partner of 14 years, Thomas Zinn.

It is understood Mr Zinn is being comforted along with the Johnsons at the couple’s home.

Friends of Mr Johnson described him as “a loving, placid and very gentle soul ... a true gentleman”.

Former colleague Genevieve Collier posted on Facbeook: “R.I.P Tori Johnson, at times we both hated each other, and at other times we’d be hysterically laughing. You gave me so many chances even when i was a little s*** eating all the lindor balls and pretending I was a barista. You had a good heart, and I knew you were in there protecting everyone.”

Steve Loane, CEO of Lindt Australia, said in a statement: “Tori had been with us at Lindt for just over two years and he was a great ambassador for our company and the store that he managed, which he cared about passionately. He was a dedicated professional who always built a great rapport with his customers and was much loved by the Lindt team. By nature he was a perfectionist and he had a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and people. He was a really important part of our management team in Australia and his loss is absolutely tragic.

“Our thoughts are with his family and we will do all that we can to provide ongoing support and help for them during this very difficult time.”

Details are continuing to emerge about what happened inside the cafe, after a teenage hostage conveyed the demands of the gunman.

In a series of chilling two-minute phone calls, the 19-year-old told The Daily Telegraph the hostage-taker’s demands, including a call for an Islamic State flag to be delivered and an audience with Tony Abbott.

Katrina Dawson was the second hostage killed.Source:Supplied

The hostage also detailed the gunman's stark threats as he grew aggravated when hostages fled.

“He says an eye for an eye; if someone else runs, someone dies,’’ the 19-year-old said.

“I have had a shotgun put at my head.”

A second call to the Telegraph came from Selina Win Pe, who referred to the gunman as “the brother”.

The second hostage killed has been identified as barrister Katrina Dawson. The 38-year-old mother-of-three is the sister of well-known Sydney lawyer Sandy Dawson.

The NSW Bar Association released a statement this morning. “Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar,” said Bar president Jane Needham SC in the statement.

“She was a devoted mother of three children, and a valued member of her floor and of our Bar community.

“Our thoughts are with her family at this time, including her brother, Sandy Dawson of Banco Chambers.”

The barrister had been having coffee with her pregnant colleague when the cafe was taken over by the gunman. Her children, aged eight, five and three, were being informed of the tragic outcome this morning, The Australian reports.

Two pregnant women, aged 35 and 30, were among the 17 hostages. Both have been assessed and are stable, police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn confirmed.

One of those was Ms Taylor, a colleague of Ms Dawson. Another lawyer, Stefan Balafoutis, has been named as one of the surviving hostages.

Another of the hostages to run to safety was Viswakanth Ankireddy, a 32-year-old from India, who lives in Sydney. Mr Ankireddy was heading to work at Westpac where he was working on a project. He is employed by multinational tech giant Infosys.

His father told media he only knew his son was safe when he saw him escape on live television.

Four Westpac employees were among the hostages. CEO Gail Kelly this morning confirmed all of them were safe and accounted for.

Sunshine Coast woman Harriette Denny, 30, joined Mr Ankireddy in running from the cafe just before shots were fired inside and police stormed in.

Ms Mikhael is carried by police from Lindt cafe.Source:Getty Images

Miss Denny, who worked at the cafe, was one of the hostages who were seen pressed against the glass of the Lindt cafe yesterday.

Her father Robert Denny posted on Facebook of his relief but said the family would not be celebrating out of respect to those who had been killed.

“Harriette lost a valued friend and work colleague and our hearts go out to his family and the family of the lady who lost her life,” he said.

NSW Police released an update on the six people injured:

A 75-year-old female who received a gunshot wound to the shoulder — stable condition.

A 52-year-old female who received a gunshot wound to the foot — stable condition.

A 43-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the leg — stable condition

A 39-year-old male who received a minor facial injury due to gunshot — treated at hospital and discharged.

Sunrise host Nat Barr breaks down live on air after learning that she knew one of the victims of the Sydney siege, 38-year-old mother Katrina Dawson. Courtesy: Sunrise/Channel Seven

December 16th 2014

3 years ago

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A police officer who was seen with blood streaming from his head was taken to hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the face. He has since been discharged and has vowed to be back at work tomorrow.

Three people were killed, including gunman Monis, after heavily armed police stormed the Martin Place cafe after shooting began just after 2am.

Police confirmed two hostages and the hostage-taker died and four others were injured during the operation that brought the siege at the Lindt cafe to an end.

A man was seen running out with his hands up before a crowd of hostages followed. A short burst of gunfire and flash grenades were heard as police stormed the building before declaring the siege over at around 2.45am.

Paramedics treat an injured hostage.Source:AFP

Mr Johnson and Ms Dawson were pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

The 50-year-old hostage-taker, who was known to police as a self-styled preacher of Islamic State on bail for an accessory to murder charge, was also pronounced dead at hospital.

Two women were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and another woman is being treated for a gunshot wound to her shoulder.

Addressing media this morning, Commissioner Scipione confirmed police were treating the operation as a critical incident and an investigation was underway.

The 50-year-old, originally from Iran and living in southwest Sydney, had previously sent offensive letters to the families of dead Australian soldiers, calling them ‘murderers’, The Daily Telegraph says.

He had a sawn-off shotgun and was a fringe Islamist, The Australian and Sky News reported.

‘Sheik’ Man Haron MonisSource:The Daily Telegraph

The self-proclaimed IS leader’s former lawyer has described his warped outlook, saying Monis was committed to his causes, and truly believed that by sending offensive letters to the families of Australian soldiers he would “get the families on side and they would assist him”.

The New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, the UK’s Independent and Times, France’s Le Monde and other news websites also were dominated by the harrowing photos of hostages running for their lives.

Effects have been felt around the world, with New York police boosting security at landmarks including the Empire State Building, Wall St, Columbus Circle and Times Square, as well as the Australian consulate, in a response to the Sydney siege.

The NYPD is taking no chances following the deadly incident.

The city’s Hercules Teams, who are the NYPD’s elite, special forces-type police units, have been sent to guard the Australian consulate in Manhattan.

“There was a lot of intelligence-driven, strategically-based, high-profile police coverage including the heavily-armed Hercules teams at a number of locations including the consul-general’s office for Australia and other Commonwealth countries,” NYPD deputy commissioner John Miller told reporters.

Police remained at the cafe until the final showdown in the early hours.Source:AFP

At the scene, police have begun their forensic investigation, while police presence will be boosted around Lakemba and Punchbowl in Sydney’s west, which has a sizeable Muslim community.